BODS Mayhem Hour welcomes Jordan Rudess keyboardist of Dream Theater for the interview below. He discusses the band's new 14th studio album Distance Over Time, and creating music for 30 years and still having the passion for it. When asked about the one Dream Theater album he believes deserves more attention, Rudess responded:

"There's a lot of stuff and the first thing that comes to mind is the last album we did, The Astonishing, which was a bit polarizing to the fans because it was different than a lot of our stuff. It was a little bit more time-sensitive dynamic and emotional, not quite as consistently heavier. With that album, I'm actually fine with what happened, but I think that over time, we'll talk in five or ten years and we'll see where it kind of sits. Something like that takes more time for people to understand and see where it kind of fits in the grand scheme of things."

Rudess has announced details for his fourth annual Jordan Rudess KeyFest, which will be held May 30 - June 1 at Sweetwater Sound in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

KeyFest is a 3 - day interactive keyboard gathering with Jordan Rudess and guest artists, David Rosenthal and Otmaro Ruiz. During the day, these three renown keyboardists will lead workshops on essential skills ranging from the art of soloing, keyboard technique, sound design, music apps, improvisation and more. In the evenings, they will perform intimate concerts and lead the participants in jams and master classes. In addition to interactive experiences with guest artists, KeyFest also offers intensive clinics with keyboard and software manufacturers.

“Besides all of the learning that happens during the workshops, the best part of the past three KeyFests was just having the chance to hang out with other keyboardists, share our musical ideas and geek out together. Sweetwater is the ultimate musical instrument store so it’s the perfect setting for the ultimate keyboard gathering”, says Rudess.

Registration is open now at sweetwater.com.

Watch announcements from Jordan, David Rosenthal and Otmaro below:

Rudess will release his brand new solo album, Wired For Madness, on April 19th via Music Theories Recordings/Mascot Label Group. Pre-order the album here, and find a lyric video for the track "Why I Dream" below.

Jordan Rudess has been the full-time keyboardist with Dream Theater since 1999's Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes From A Memory, as well as releasing his own acclaimed solo works with accompanying solo tours, developing his own range of award-winning keyboard apps, writing instruction books and teaching online keyboard courses.

And now comes his latest solo release, Wired For Madness. Bursting and flowing forth with all of the drama, technique and melodicism that have become his musical hallmarks, the album also features the keyboard wizard handling many of the vocals. It blends old-school prog and piano with a ferocious and typically ambitious oeuvre that’s as tasteful and classic as it is outrageously expansive

Renowned guests include drummer Marco Minnemann, Dream Theater singer James LaBrie, guitarists Vinnie Moore, Guthrie Govan, Joe Bonamassa and Dream Theater guitarist John Petrucci. But the true star here is Rudess - equal parts classical master, prog monster and interstellar master of the musical universe. There’s even some blues!

Says Rudess: “’Just Can’t Win’ is a dirty blues song! The Dream Theater guys call me 'Blues Man' because, at 8 AM, after sleeping on the tour bus, I sound like a reincarnation of an old blues man soul. I called in Joe Bonamassa and a full brass section to help make this song really happen. For my prog fans, this is Jordan Rudess in an alternate universe!”

It all started with a curious mind and a furious set of little hands. He has gone to change the world of music in many wondrous ways, and his latest solo release is the next dynamic chapter in a book that's still being written.

Tracklisting:

"Wired For Madness - Part 1"
"Wired For Madness - Part 2"
"Off The Ground"
"Drop Twist"
"Perpetual Shine"
"Just Can't Win"
"Just For Today"
"Why I Dream"

"Why I Dream" lyric video:

"Wired For Madness - Part 1" lyric video:

"Wired For Madness Pt 1.3" lyric video:

EPK:

Rudess has scheduled a launch party, on April 18th at Guitar Center on 14th Street in New York City. It will include a signing session and Q&A.